The killers of two Muslim cattle traders hung their bodies to a tree after lynching. — File photo

The families of the victims of Jharkhand lynching, while expressing gratitude to the Latehar court, demand financial assistance, jobs and also urged the government to provide security as they are living under the shadow of fear.

Caravan News

NEW DELHI — Following the conviction of all eight accused in the lynching of two Muslim cattle traders Mazloom Ansari and Imtiyaz Khan, their families on Wednesday demanded financial assistance and jobs from the Jharkhand government for livelihood as they have lost their lone breadwinner. They also urged the government to provide security to them because they have been receiving threats.

“We are living under the shadow of fear. My elder son has left his home and started working in Ranchi due to threat to his life. My younger son has also stopped going to his school,” said Najma Bibi mother of Imteyaz Khan while speaking to the media here at Press club of India.

“I request the government to provide proper security to my family. Also, the state government should provide financial assistance and a job to us,” Najma Bibi added.

Najma and Imtiyaz’s father Azad Khan, told that when their son was lynched, he was studying in 6th standard and also helped his father in his work.

Azad stopped working because of the fear from the killers. Now the family is facing very bad financial condition. The father Azad Khan said that he has a small piece of field and nothing else to earn livelihood.

“I have two daughters to get married, but don’t have money for the arrangements of their marriage,” Azad told.

Imtiyaz Khan (13) along with Mazloom Ansari (32) both residents of Balumath town of Latehar district in Jharkhand were brutally beaten up to death on March 16, 2016 while they were taking their cattle for sale in a local cattle fair. Killers had later hung their bodies to a tree.

The victims were small-time cattle trader and they used to buy and sell cattle from small village fair and were running their livelihood. Last week, a magistrate court in Latehar district convicted all eight accused and awarded life imprisonment in the case.

Families of Imtiyaz and Mazloom addressed media at Press Club of India, New Delhi on Dec 26, 2018. (Photo – Ansar Indori)

Expressing their gratitude to the Latehar session court, families said that court gave them justice by sentencing the culprits.

“Our faith in the Indian justice system had increased by the judgment. Through this press conference we just want that this kind of incident should not happen ever again with others and the government should protect its citizens,” they said.

Sayara Bibi, wife of Mazloom Ansari said, “I demand appropriate compensation and a job from the Jharkhand government. Where should I go for help? I do not have money to feed my children.”

Saira Bibi and Mazloom’s brother Afzal Ansari told that they had faced many problems after the incident because Mazloom was the only bread-earner in the family. He was not only supporting his family, but also cared his in-laws as his wife had no other sibling. Mazloom Ansari is survived by his wife and five children.

“I have no job to do and my family has to face many problems. I don’t own any house and I live with my parents in their house”, Saira told. Saira claimed that she has been receiving threats even after all the convicts were awarded life sentence.

Advocate Saifan Shaikh told media that Popular Front of India has filed a writ petition before the Ranchi High Court for an adequate compensation on behalf of Saira Bibi, the widow of Mazloom Ansari and Azad Khan, the father of Imtiyaz Khan.

“The court directed the Jharkhand State Legal Service Authority (JSLSA) to investigate and to give adequate compensation and to inform the court with the same. However, the JSLSA did not take any action in this case without any reasonable cause. Now we are preparing to file a petition against contempt of the court order. The court suggested us to file a separate petition for the government job. If the culprits appeal to the High Court against the sentence, we will object it legally,” Adv. Shaikh told.

Mohammad Hanzala Shaikh, Jharkhand state president of Popular Front told that the organisation visited the family on the very third day of the incident in 2016 and offered them legal support.

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